10 Tips for Surviving the Beach with Twins and a Toddler

By: Shannon Bussnick, LSW and mom of three ♥︎

Ah, the beach! The quintessential family vacation destination where dreams of relaxation and sandy toes meet the harsh reality of parenting three little ones under five. Welcome to our beach adventure with our dynamic trio: two-year-old fraternal twins (a boy and a girl) and their older, water-obsessed, four-year-old sister.

Spoiler alert: it was more of a sandy, sticky, chaotic comedy of errors than a relaxing day under the sun. But hey, we’re a neurodivergent fam, so we embrace the chaos—and laugh about it later! (Try to at least!)

The Pre-Beach Prep: What Could Go Wrong?

Packing for the beach with twins and a toddler? Easy, right? Just kidding. Imagine packing for an expedition to Mars, but with more sunscreen and snacks. Oh, and you can’t go wrong with some durable water shoes.

Tip #1: It Will Be More Messy Than You Think It’ll Be (Sorry). From forgotten sippy cups to a rogue sand bucket that somehow ended up in the dog’s bed, the prep was a mess before we even left the driveway. Our best advice? Embrace the mess. It’s inevitable, like sand in your swimsuit. And add a buffer to your departure time—obviously. Also, you might feel better saving the car clean-up and laundry for the day after you return!

Beach Essentials: Or, What We Wish We’d Brought

Tip #2: Bring a Cooler and an Umbrella. And by cooler, we mean a portable fridge, because those tiny kid-sized drinks somehow evaporate faster at the beach. As for the umbrella, if you don’t have one, prepare for the kids to turn into tiny lobster children by noon. Rent a beach umbrella if you can—lugging one more thing was the hill we chose not to die on. We also discovered the genius of a large waterproof mat (thanks, fellow beach moms!).

Tip #3: Bring and Use Towels Only As Needed. That’s right, towels are for drying off, not building sandcastles. You’ll thank us later.

Sunscreen, Sand, and Strategizing: The Beach Survival Guide

Tip #4: Re-apply Sunscreen No Matter What. Even if you just slathered it on two minutes ago. The sun is relentless, and so is your toddler’s ability to rub off sunscreen on everything. For the love of sanity, have a game plan for changing sandy clothes. We opted for a trunk transformation zone with a bonus layer for catching rogue sand—genius, right? And don’t forget the garbage bags: one for clean stuff, one for sandy clothes, and one for the sandcastle of snack wrappers.

Tip #5: Sit Near the Lifeguards. This isn’t just for safety; it’s for sanity. When you’re outnumbered, every extra set of eyes is a blessing. Plus, they might save you from the classic twin escape plan—yes, they’ve been plotting.

Tip #6: Take Turns for Solo Dips. Because let’s face it, sometimes you need a break from the adorable chaos, even if it’s just a two-minute dip in the ocean. It might even give you that much-needed push to the finish -line.

Laughing It Off: Essential for Twin Parents

Tip #7: Laugh, and Laugh Again. Just Keep Laughing. When your son decides to eat sand or your daughter’s new shell collection includes a hermit crab, laughing is the best (and only) option. Remember, this day is a memory in the making, even if it feels like a relay of errors. And when the kids won’t nap on the way home, just repeat the mantra.

Tip #8: Snacks and Cold Drinks. Be ready for a pitstop right after packing it up. These kids are Always hungry right? Bring cash for the ice cream truck before you head out, too! Why do the ice cream gods set us up like this anyway?

Tip #9: Take Pictures and Bring Home Some Keepsakes. Trust us, you’ll want to remember this day, especially the part where your four-year-old tried to convince you to bring home a live seagull.

And finally, Tip #10: Take Inventory Before Leaving. Wallet, keys, kids… yes, all the essentials. And maybe double-check that the twins haven’t smuggled any more hermit crabs into the car.

The Aftermath: Debrief and Detox

So, did we have fun? Absolutely. Was it exhausting? You bet. But as we packed up our sandy circus and headed home, we realized that the beach, with all its chaos and unpredictability, is a perfect metaphor for parenting twins and a toddler. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright frustrating—but also filled with moments of joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories. So here’s to the next beach adventure, hopefully with fewer hermit crabs and more sunscreen.

Are you ready to tackle your beach trip with twins and a toddler? Keep in mind, it’s not about having a flawless day; it’s about accepting the imperfections and seeing those little eyes sparkle under the sun. And if you’re feeling particularly positive, you might even think about doing it all over again. (And if not, we don’t blame you!)